Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/30/2003 03:33 PM Senate RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 56-SPORT FISHING FEES FOR YUKON RESIDENTS
SENATOR FRED DYSON, sponsor of SB 56, gave the following
explanation of the measure.
A couple of times former Senator Randy Phillips worked
on getting reciprocity of resident fishing licenses
for our neighbors in the Yukon. In anticipation of
that happening, the Yukon Parliament passed a bill to
extend the same courtesy to Alaskans. The Yukon
Territory has a population of slightly less than
30,000, and unless one of the glaciers continues to
recede, it has no saltwater frontage on the Pacific.
Yukoners are indeed the closest neighbors to most of
Alaska and a few hundred of them, maybe even more than
a thousand of them, come down to fish our waters. This
measure is just one of several activities being taken
to build a relationship with our Yukon neighbors. They
are, I believe, very appreciative of those efforts.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has
estimated a negative financial impact from this
legislation. However, there will probably be a net
financial gain for the people of Alaska. The Yukoners
will spend time and money in our coastal cities.
The State of Alaska is working very closely with the
Yukon Government to build a natural gas pipeline and
to tie together their railroad systems. Both
governments engage in some game co-management,
particularly for caribou, and work together on a
number of cooperative tourism efforts. The Premier may
be visiting Juneau in the next three weeks. Alaska has
a bilateral agreement with the Yukon government to
continue to work on issues of common interest. SB 56
is a small gesture on Alaska's part to be good
neighbors. The Government of Yukon is more than
willing to reciprocate and has, in fact, done that.
He asked that the committee interrupt its proceeding to hear
from Premier Fentie as soon as he is available via
teleconference.
VICE-CHAIR WAGONER announced that Senator Lincoln was present.
He then said Premier Fentie was not on-line yet so he would take
public testimony.
MR. BENJAMIN BROWN, representing the Alaska State Chamber of
Commerce, stated strong support for SB 56 and Senator Dyson's
efforts to extend a hand of friendship to our Canadian neighbors
to the east. The Yukon Territory and Alaska share a lot of
similarities in personality and geography. One similarity they
do not share is the saltwater coastline. The Yukon Territorial
Assembly has already passed legislation enabling Alaskans to
obtain resident fishing licenses in the Yukon Territory. SB 56
may seem like a small gesture but it fits into a larger
framework of developing friendly relations with the Yukoners.
MR. GORDY WILLIAMS, legislative liaison for the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), introduced Rob Bentz,
deputy director of the Division of Sport Fisheries. He said
ADF&G has had several spirited discussions with the sponsor of
SB 56 over the last few days. He appreciates and supports the
sponsor's desire to be a good neighbor, however ADF&G has some
concerns to point out to committee members. The first is the
fiscal note, which represents a decrease in revenue in the
amount of about $46,000 from the fish and game fund. He admitted
it is a bit difficult to quantify the numbers and would answer
any questions about the fiscal note but pointed out the figure
provided is ADF&G's best estimate. The second issue is the
public policy call of granting this privilege to Yukon residents
and the precedent that may set for the residents of British
Columbia.
VICE-CHAIR WAGONER asked Mr. Williams to postpone the remainder
of his testimony as Premier Fendie was on-line.
PREMIER DENNIS FENDIE, Government of Yukon, said his recent
discussions with Senator Dyson renewed an issue for Yukoners
that has been around for awhile, that being reciprocal licensing
fees between Alaska and the Yukon. He said the Yukon Assembly
has already made regulatory changes to allow Alaska residents to
purchase a fishing license at a predetermined rate, which he
believes is $15. SB 56 would provide Yukoners that same
reciprocal arrangement when purchasing fishing licenses in
Alaska. He indicated that the Yukon has no intention of creating
problems for the state; the agreement will be between two
jurisdictions and would not set a precedent because the Yukon
does not have similar arrangements with other Canadian
jurisdictions. SB 56 will do a lot for relationship building.
The Government of Yukon and the State of Alaska work on many
issues collectively with a common purpose and interest, for
example, SHAKWAK, the railway, and the gas pipeline. This
gesture is one small component of what is growing into a very
productive relationship between the two jurisdictions. He said
the Government of Yukon is ready to enter into the reciprocal
agreement but, despite the outcome of SB 56, it desires to
continue to work together with the State of Alaska.
SENATOR DYSON said his sense is that reducing the cost of the
fees will not make a huge economic difference to the Yukoners
who come to the coast to fish, but it will send a friendly
signal. He asked Premier Fendie if he believes SB 56 will
increase the number of Yukoners that come to the coast to fish.
PREMIER FENDIE said it is highly unlikely because the number of
Yukoners who travel to the coast today is not driven by the cost
of the license but rather by the close proximity. He repeated
this is more about furthering relationships; he does not believe
SB 56 will create a mad rush of Yukoners to Alaska. He pointed
out the Yukon Territory's population has decreased by about
3,000 people over the last six years. He said that Yukoners hope
this will also entice more Alaskans to come fish in the Yukon
Territory. He then informed members he will be traveling to
Juneau soon to visit with Governor Murkowski.
There being no further questions, VICE-CHAIR WAGONER asked Mr.
Williams to resume his testimony.
MR. WILLIAMS continued by telling members it is important to
remember that British Columbia shares a significant border with
Alaska and a significant portion of its population does not have
access to saltwater. He also pointed out that Alaska and the
Yukon have significant differences in their sport fishing
limits. In the Yukon, the limit is an amalgamation of two salmon
per day; in Alaska, non-residents are allowed an amalgamation of
26 salmon per day and access to halibut and other saltwater
species. Much of the Yukoners' saltwater fishing efforts are
concentrated in the Southeast area of Juneau, Haines and
Skagway. He deferred to Mr. Bentz to recount discussions about
those areas at Board of Fisheries meetings. He concluded by
saying ADF&G supports the commitment to maintain a good
relationship with the Government of Yukon, but it wants the
committee to be informed of the issues that surround this kind
of approach.
SENATOR ELTON said the least of his concerns is the decrease of
$46,000 in the fish and game fund because ADF&G has dollars
warehoused in a lot of different components. He said the issue
of concern to him is that the Premier said he does not
anticipate any further effort on the part of Yukoners in
Southeast waters. However, right now non-residents catch two out
of three king salmon and there is a cap on the take of king
salmon each year by the sport component. He asked for
reassurance that the enactment of SB 56 will not create cap
problems that make it more difficult for Southeast residents to
catch salmon.
MR. ROB BENTZ, deputy director of the Sport Fish Division,
ADF&G, said there are limits on the sport fishery. The Board of
Fisheries has delineated the limits and restrictions for
residents and non-residents. The board met in Ketchikan last
February and amended the king salmon management plan to make the
restrictions on non-residents a little more stringent. The daily
limit for king salmon will be one per day and three fish
annually, regardless of the abundance. In contrast, the resident
daily limit will remain at two king salmon with no annual limit.
If the number of fishermen from the Yukon Territory remains
static, he does not anticipate any impacts to resident anglers.
SENATOR ELTON asked if ADF&G and the Board of Fisheries define
resident anglers by where they live, not by whether they have a
resident fishing license. He asked if under SB 56, a Yukoner
would be considered a non-resident yet hold a resident fishing
license.
SENATOR DYSON clarified that resident status will only apply to
the fee so that Yukoners will pay a resident fee for a non-
resident license.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if the amount in the fiscal note was
calculated by changing the amount charged for the number of
licenses sold to Yukoners in the past.
MR. WILLIAMS referred to a chart distributed to members and
indicated that the first column total reports the number of
licenses sold, which was 2,741. Currently, the non-resident
annual fee is $100 per year. In addition, non-residents who want
to make multiple trips can buy a one or three-day license for
less than the cost of an annual permit. Therefore, of the total
2,741 purchases, some people may have purchased multiple-day
permits while other people may have purchased annual permits.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if ADF&G anticipates an increase in the
number of Yukoners who would come to Alaska if the license fee
is reduced.
MR. WILLIAMS said the resident rate is for an annual license so
it may not entice more people to come but it is likely to entice
those with licenses to come more often.
MR. BENTZ added that when the legislature raised non-resident
license fees in the mid-1990s, ADF&G was concerned that it might
see a decline in the number of non-resident anglers. The
increased fee did not have that effect. He does not believe the
license fee is a deterrent. Those who want to fish will do so.
He said in the past, in a group of six, two may have fished. If
SB 56 is enacted, perhaps four of the group will purchase
licenses.
SENATOR DYSON asked if the purchase of one annual license as
opposed to several day licenses will reduce ADF&G's
administrative cost.
MR. BENTZ said sales will be easier for the license vendors.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked what effect the currency exchange will
have.
VICE-CHAIR WAGONER said it should have no effect on Alaska but
it will be cheaper for Alaskans buying licenses in the Yukon.
SENATOR ELTON asked that someone get back to him with an answer
on whether Yukoners will have to register the boats they trailer
to Alaska.
MR. WILLIAMS said he did not think so and believes that is only
a requirement for boats being registered in Alaska.
VICE-CHAIR WAGONER asked if Mr. Williams said the bag limit in
Alaska is 26 salmon per day.
MR. WILLIAMS said the non-resident limit is an amalgamated total
of 26 salmon per day including pinks, chums and cohos.
MR. BENTZ said the bag limits, except for king salmon, are the
same for residents and non-residents. In most saltwater areas,
the limits are 6 per day for each species of coho, chum, sockeye
and pink. The king salmon limit is one per day for a non-
resident or 2 for a resident. Therefore, a non-resident or
resident could keep 25 fish per day.
VICE-CHAIR WAGONER said he has done a lot of saltwater fishing
and has never caught close to that number.
MR. WILLIAMS said he made that point to show what the
availability will be if a Yukoner buys an Alaska license.
VICE-CHAIR WAGONER noted there were no further questions and
asked the will of the committee.
SENATOR STEVENS moved SB 56 from committee with individual
recommendations and its attached fiscal note.
There being no objection, VICE-CHAIR WAGONER announced the
motion carried.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|